⚖️ City Comparison

Boston vs Pueblo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Boston

Massachusetts
162
Extremely Expensive
$620,000
Median Home
$2,800/mo
Median Rent
$76,298
Median Income

Pueblo

Colorado
117
Expensive
$314,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$66,000
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

28% Cheaper

Pueblo is 28% cheaper than Boston overall. A $75,000 salary in Boston is equivalent to $54,167 in Pueblo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Boston (left) vs Pueblo (right). National average = 100.

Housing
242
Housing
110
Groceries
108
Groceries
111
Utilities
126
Utilities
120
Transportation
107
Transportation
119
Healthcare
118
Healthcare
110

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Boston versus Pueblo. Differences shown from Boston perspective.

ItemBostonPuebloDifference
1-Bed Rent$2,180/mo$1,060/mo+$1120.00
2-Bed Rent$2,800/mo$1,600/mo+$1200.00
3-Bed Rent$3,740/mo$2,070/mo+$1670.00
Bread (loaf)$3.28$3.20+$0.08
Milk (gallon)$3.92$4.21$-0.29
Eggs (dozen)$3.68$3.59+$0.09
Coffee (latte)$6.03$6.31$-0.28
Gas (gallon)$3.50$3.59$-0.09
Restaurant Meal$20.49$17.33+$3.16

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Boston has the same purchasing power as $54,167 in Pueblo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pueblo equals $103,846 in Boston.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$53,887
Boston (Massachusetts)
$54,337
Pueblo (Colorado)

The $450 difference is driven by Massachusetts having a higher state income tax rate. Massachusetts details → · Colorado details →

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

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Your Weighted Score
162 vs 117

Reading These Numbers: Boston (162) vs Pueblo (117)

Boston at 162 is 62% above the US average, while Pueblo at 117 is 17% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

In Boston, the composite index of 162 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 242, followed by groceries (108), utilities (126), transportation (107), and healthcare (118). Housing is the primary cost driver here.

For renters: With median rents of $2,800/mo in Boston and $1,600/mo in Pueblo, the annual rent difference is approximately $14,400.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $72,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $306,000.0 difference in median home prices between Boston and Pueblo translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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Making Your Decision: Boston vs Pueblo

Choosing between Boston and Pueblo involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.

Long-term affordability in Boston versus Pueblo depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.